Signal delay means



Nov. 18, 1958 R. J. B. BEISTLE ETAL SIGNAL DELAY MEANS 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed Aug. 22, 1956 INVENTORS ROY J.B. BEISTLE JOHN A. KRISTY J 1 z ATTORNEY United States Application August 1956, Serial No. 505,585 20 claims. (or. ass-30 This invention relates to signal delay means and, more particularly, relates to mechanical signal delay lines such as those comprising a magnetostrictive material. The termination of mechanical delay lines to prevent theoccurrence of troublesome echo signals has generally presented difiiculties. One difiiculty is the fact that in magneto-strictive delay. lines, for example, signals generated by a transmitter'coil and applied as an input to such lines will be reflected at both ends thereof so that a receiver coil spaced from the transmitter coil will pick up two different signals due to a single input signal. Another difiiculty encountered in the use of mechanical delay lines is the tendency olf the length of line to change in response to a variation'in temperature and thus cause achange in the delay characteristics. This leads to a troublesome departure from the proper timing relationship of a train of signals circulating in the line. A third difliculty is the fact that the normally required quite substantial length of such lines introduces the need of cumbersome equipment for their positioning. 7 7 Accordingly, it is the primary object of the'present invention to provide mechanical signal delay means wherein troublesome echo signals are substantially eliminated, wherein means are provided for automatically adjusting the length of the delay line a proper amount in respo nse to changes in temperature, and wherein the delay line is arranged in a manner to permit the packaging thereof with a minimum of space consumption.

It is a further object to provide an eflicient shielded packaging arrangement including the delay line of the preceding object in combination with associated electrical circuitry.w v Generally speaking, in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present inventionjthere is provided signal delay means which includes a mechanical delay'fline such as one comprising amagnetostrictive?material. Each end of the line has aterminating element thereon which has an impedance substantially approximating the V characteristic terminal impedance of-the line. 1 Transmitter means is positioned ne'ar one endof the line for applying a signal thereto and receiver means is positioned near the other, end of the line for "picking up a delayed signal therefrom, the distances offthe transmitter and receiver means from the respective ends being so chosen thatthe echos of' signals reflected thereat are inphas'e'opposition whereby they substantially cancel each other. Means are provided for'simultaneously movingithe transmitter and receiver means equal distances 'tovary the length of delay line therebetween andftemperature sensitive means are included to automatically compensate for changesin length of'the line due .to changes in temperature whereby no change occurs in the difference of the distances of the transmitter and re'ceivermeansffrom their respective ends of the line. ;Thps,; nomatter'whatthe change, the echos of signals reflected 59m the;egdsagqmaintaindin phase opposition and the delay characteristics of the line is maintainedsubstantiallyconstant. I :1

Also, in accordance wanderer/mien, there is pro- 2,861,248 I Patented; Nov. Tidal Q58 vided'in combinationjwith electricalcircuitry, a"h'ousing for positioning the components thereoffand a signal delay line;associated with 'thepcircuitry. :Meansladaptedit'o move slidably along-the axis of the housing is provided therein for,simultaneouslymovingthe transmitter and receiver means tozvaryzthe length of delay line .there-between and to maintain-them at distances having a chosen ditierenceirom their} respective ends of the line; "A tem perature sensitive element operatively associated withithe slidable means is provided within the housing to cause the latter .to move in response'to temperature changes th'ero by compensating for any-change in lengthxof delay "line intermediate; the transmitter and receiver means caused by such temperature changes. The'honsingmay consist of a suitable. metal and'thus functionas a shield. 11

One'feature of this invention is :the inclusion ofrterminal elements on thefdela'y. line comprising a compliant temperature inert"pla stic material,. the terminal elements having an impedance approximating the characteristic impedance of thelineso thatechos of signals'reflec ted at the endsare; relatively very: small. 7 v 1 A secondfe'a'ture. of the invention is thepositioriing of a transmitter, coil and'a receivercoil aro'undth'e line at distances having a chosen difierence from the respective ends oftheline so that-the echos of reflected signalsare in phaseopposition; i i A,=-third feature ofithe inventionvis the provision of meanstfor simultaneously moving the transmitter' and receiver coils to vary the length 'of'delay line thereb'etween as desired while-rnaintainingthe chosendifferen'ce in'the distancesxfrom theirzends o-fthe line. whereby the echosot reflected signals'are maintained in phase cpposition. z' I' -A fourth :feature is the provision of temperature sensitive means for automatically varying the positionof the transmitterand receiver cons to? compensate for changes inline length due to changes in temperature; 3

Afifth. feature of the invention is the'us'e of a magnetostrictive delaylinecomprising 'a' thin wall narrow'b'o're flexible tubular structure as" the' mechanic-al "delay line to eliminate a; good portion of thehysteresis lossnormally encountered in ribbonlike magnetostrictive delay lines.

I A sixth feature is the arrangement of the'delay line having an intermediate coiled portion to permit efficient packaging thereof. J

A seventh feature is the provision of an enclosedhous ing for; positioning the-delay line "and'the components of. an associated electrical circuit, the housing'serving' as a shield and containing insulating brackets having aplu rality of spaced-transverse grooves therein'for re'ceiving the separate loopsof the intermediatecoiled portiori'of the line, the brackets serving both as'positioning structures' and as low friction'mounting devices to eliminate spurious reflections. I

An eighth feature is 'the use of a unita'ry magnetic structure. for providing a biasing magnetic field'to both the transmitter and receiver coil. 7

For a better understanding of the present invention, together' with other and further objects thereof, reference is had to the following description taken in connection with the accompanying drawings, and its scope Willbe pointed out in theappended claims. I I:

Fig. l is a perspective view of ahousing with'one wall partly cut away and shows a fixed panel disposed in one plane for mounting circuit components, the signal delay 'means'bein g disposed in a difierent 'plane;

Fig. 2 is a view similar to that of Fig. 1 with bbth a wall and a circuit component panel: removed and 'shbw's' the arrangement of 'the signal delay'means within the'ho'us ing;and

Fig. 3 schematically illustrates the mode of operation of a preferred embodiment of the invention.

a,se1,24s g A 1 e Referring now more particular to Fig. 1, there is shown a housing which may preferably be of a parallelepiped configuration as shown but of course may be of any suitable geometry. Housing 10 preferably consists of a lightweight metal such as aluminum to enable its functioning as a shield in addition to that of a container. For convenience in description, housing 10 may be described as comprising sidewalls 12 and 14, end walls 16 and 18 and detachable top and bottom walls 20 and 22. Sidewalls 12 and 14 are each provided with overlapping spaced substantially parallel slots 24 and 26, the corresponding slots in each sidewall being in registration. End wall 18 is provided with extensions generally designated by numeral 28 to permit aflixation of the housing to a fixed structure (not shown). Top and bottom walls 20 and 22 are provided with portions which overlap end walls 16 and 18 to enable their aflixation to the end walls if it is so desired.

A panel 30 is shown upon which there are provided fixtures generally designated as 32 for mounting the circuit components of the electrical circuit with which the signal delay means is associated. Panel 30 may suitably consists of a substantially rigid material such as wood, plastic, pressed fiber or the like. As is shown, panel 30 is disposed in a plane parallel to the planes of walls 20 and 22 and is afiixed to a pair of brackets which are in turn aflixed to the inner surfaces of sidewalls 12 and 14.

Referring now to Fig. 2 wherein panel 30 has been removed, there is shown the disposition of the signal delay means of this invention within housing 10 and its spatial relationship to the circuit components mounted on panel 30. The delay means includes a mechanical delay line 34 comprising end portions 36 and 38 and an intermediate helically coiled portion 40. The loops of coiled portion 40 are supported at one end of the housing by brackets generally designated by numeral 42. These brackets may consist of a suitable rigid insulating material such as Lucite. It is preferable to use four of such brackets angularly displaced 90 with respect to the circumference of each loop of coil. As is shown, a first bracket is attached to the inner surface of end wall 16, second and third brackets are attached to the inner surfaces respectively of sidewalls 12 and 14 and a fourth bracket is attached to the under surface of panel 30. The brackets are provided with spaced transverse substantially parallel disposed grooves generally designated by numeral 44, corresponding grooves receiving a portion of a. loop of coiled portion 40. Effectively, brackets 42 provide a comblike structure with the portions of a loop received between the teeth thereof. With this arrangement, there exists a minimum of friction and consequent minimum attenuation of pulses in the delay line. End portions 36 and 38 are disposed in substantially parallel arrangement along the longitudinal axis of housing 10 and tangentially to the loops of coiled portion 40. One end portion such as '36 is longer than the other end portion 38, the significance of which will be explained hereinbelow. On the ends of line 34 are terminating elements 45 and 48 respectively which are cured thereon. Terminating elements 46 and 48 may comprise compliant temperature inert material which is effective in absorbing acoustic reflections and echos. Examples of such material are plastic such as polyethylene, epoxy resin and high temperature waxes which are relatively inert to temperature changes such as that manufactured by Hansell, Van Winkle & Manning Company of Matawan, New Jersey and known by the trade name Kote-rax type K. Terminating elements 46 and 48 may suitably have a teardrop configuration as shown and preferably have an impedance in mechanical ohms quite close to the characteristic terminal impedance of line 34. The line ends 47 of elements 46 and 48 respectively are of conical configuration so that the change of impedance at the end of'the line is gradual. Brackets 50 and 52 extending inwardly into housing 10 from sidewalls 12 and 14 are provided for positioning terminating elements 46 and 48, the brackets suitably comprising the same material as that comprising housing 10.

Line 34 is preferably a tube of dead soft annealed nickel, the wall of which is quite thin. For example, it has been found that a tube having an overall diameter of 0.030 inch and a 0.002 inch wall thickness is advantageous. The advantage of the tube being soft annealed is that it has a lesser attenuating effect than that experienced with hard materials and upon bending, discontinuities are not set up therein as is the case with harder materials. The advantage of using a thin walled narrow bore tube rather than a solid rod lies in the fact that substantially the bulk of hysteresis losses are overcome.

It is known that when nickel is magnetized, its dimensions are changed slightly (usually not more than 20 to 30 parts per million) and such changes are called magnetostriction. An acoustic vibration can be intro duced into a long rod of nickel by pulsing a small mag netizing or transmitting coil placed around it and near one end. This sound vibration travels along the rod at a rate of 5.27 microseconds per inch of path length at an ambient temperature of 20 C. The reciprocal efiect of magnetostriction occurs in the rod when it is placed in a magnetic field. This effect is the change of flux in the material when subjected to a mechanical strain and obeys the law wherein e is the voltage induced, N is the number of terms of a receiver coil and f is the change in flux with respect to time. Therefore, the sound vibration can be converted back to an electrical signal by placing a second or receiving coil around the rod and placing a biasing magnet in the vicinity of the latter coil. Now, if the received pulse is amplified, reshaped and reintroduced into the transmitting end of the line, a circulating storage system results.

At a pulse repetition rate of 200,000 pulses per second, successive waves traveling along a magnetostr'ictive delay line are spaced apart by approximately 0.95 inch. The time interval between these pulses in 5 microseconds. A magnetostrictive delay line for storing 40 pulses is therefore 38 inches in length. The access time of such a line is accordingly 200 microseconds. The variation in delay for a 20 C. temperature change is approximately one microsecond.

Referring again to Fig. 2, a carriage 54 consisting of a suitable material such as wood, pressed fiber, plastic etc. is transversely disposed in housing 10 between the side walls and slidable in a path parallel to the longitudinal axis of housing 10. The limits of the path of slidability are determined by the length of slot 24 through which suitable adjustable screws may be afiixed to the ends of carriage S4 to permit its movement or to anchor it in one location. The bottom surface of carriage 54 is fiat and adapted to rest abuttingly against the inner surface of bottom wall 22. The upper surface of carriage 54 tapers in thickness, progressively diminishing from the end against side wall 20 to the end against side wall 22. On the upper surface of carriage 54 near each end thereof are semicylindrical recesses for longitudinally disposing a transmitter coil 56 and a receiver coil 58. Transmitter coil 56 comprises the usual coilform, about 0.5 inch in length, and may be of phenolic, brass, or other suitable material and is wound with several hundred turns such as for example, 600 turns. Receiver coil 58 is similar-in material to and dimensions to that of transmitter coil and also has a requisite number of turns thereaipundsuehasia ut 160 I in'g is thatknownundert formex wire. As isfshown, 4 nsm tterep rsg about end portion 36 of delay line32"'ai1dre e1 58 is disposed around end portionfifiof pdelay, linef34.

Longitudinally disposed in a recess on th of carriage 54 and substantially 'equispaced allel with coils 56 and 58 is a permanentb' agnet 60 such asthatknown under the trade na e A ln1co V? permanent mag'ri eL A pole piecef62 ting of a suitable magnetic material istra'nsversely disp d 9n carriage 54betwe'enoneend of magnet 60 an transinitt and a similar polepiece'62'is fdi l A intermediate the same end oiina'gnet 6 1 V 58. .Pole pieces ez andfma'g net 60 are maintained in fixed position relationship by covering. piece' 64jwhich is suitably-afiixedtocarriage 54 byfscrews or like devices. If de'sir ed,coils 56 and ssmga be provi iith suitable magnetic shields. It is" seen that by loosening the screws passing trough slot 2.4.ir1t0 the ends 'o ffcarriag'efl, the carriage is free. to move along a path deter in'ed Ibythe length of this sloth Asa consequence of such move-ment, coils 56 and 58 which are positioned around therespective end portions of line 34' are also caused to move'simultaneo'usly equal distances in registrationwith each other and magnet 60. Thus, the distance of delay line 34 'between the coils may be shortened or lengthened as desired to provide a given time -delay.; Once the required length is determined, carriage54 may be fixed in one'position by tightening the end'screws through slot {24. v:It is seen that the wedge configuration of carriage 54 is necessary since end portion 36 emerges from helicalcoiled portion 40 at a different. plane than end portion 138.

Attached to the face'of carriage 54 opposin gf'end wall 16 is one end of a temperaturesensitive'elernent 66,.the other end of element. 66 being afiixedfto a crosspiece 68 in housing lfl which is slidable in a Pathdeter mined by the lengthof. slot-'26. Since slot 26Tissubsta ntially coextensive in length with slot 24, crosspiece '68 cadmove in a path which is coextensive withthe path m which carriage 54- canmove. (Similar tocarriage aggresspiece 68 can be'rigidlyafiixed in one'location byfscrews or other suitable means extending thr6ugh slots26 and into the crosspiece. Element 66 may, suitably consistfof a bcllowsor temperature responsive bimetal su ch as the conventional temperature sensitive bimetal and well known in the art. Element 166 is preferably vutilized in a staggered S shape configuration to impart spri nglike characteristics thereto. a v t It is to be noted that if crosspiece 68 is firmlyaflixed in one location by means of th e end 'screws, a change in temperature and consequent change in lengthof element 66 will cause motion only in carriage 54. It is further tobe noted that since carriage 54 :carries both coils, the change in length of line 34 between the coils will be twice the change in length of element 66. Now, if the change in ambient temperature causes a change in the length of line 34, a change will also be caused in the length of element 66., Since crosspiece 68 is fixed, the change in length of element 66 will be completely applied to carriage 54 causing movement thereof to adjust the length of line 34between transmitter coil 56 and receiver coil 58. A suitable characteristic for element 66 in relation to the magnetostrictive nickel tubea s specified above is one which causes a delay change 0.1inicrosecond per 5 F. per 200 microsecond delay. Another wayto V express this is a delay change of 000263 microsecond per 5 F. per inch. Since temperature sensitive bimetallic 7 elements to fit anyrequired specification are well known invention may best be. illustratedin conjunction with Fig. 3. In this figure it is seen that transmitter coil 56'is agmater distancegfrq ts nd'otjthelihe thanreceiver coil 58 is from itsendfofthje' line; g,

When asignalpasses throughthewindingjon coil 56, a signal'70a will-appear in line 34 which will propagate itself in both directions along line 34 at a speed determined by the transmitting characteristics of line 34,

At a timeft signal 70a will have traveled to the right along line 34 a distance of 2X. It will have also traveled to the left and an echo signal70b will have been produced which will have traveled to the original position of signal 76a. Because terminating element 46 approximates the characteristic impedance of line 34, signal 70b will be of much lesser amplitude than signal 70a.

At a time t signal70a will have traveled a sufficient distance to pass below receiver coil 58 causing a voltage to be induced in the winding of the latter and 70b will still be a distance of 2X behind 70a traveling to the right on line 34. t H i At a time t signal 704 will have proceeded to the right end of line 34 and an'echo pulse 700 willhave been reflected therefrom. The magnitude of pulse 760. like thatof 7% will be much less than that of pulse 70a because terminal element 48 similar to element 46 has an impedance approximating the characteristic terminal impedance of line 34. Signal 700 will also be opposite in phase to that of 70b since the distances x and y are so chosen as to have a difference in length which will cause suchphase opposition in pulses reflected at opposite ends of line 34. Thus at time t where signals 70b and moms simultaneously at the same position on line 34, th'eywill canceleach other. It is thus to be seen that the asymmetric position of the coils in relation to the respective end of the line efiectively removes any echo pulses therein. I

When the distance between thecoils is changed by design to vary'the length of line therebetween or autoinatically by element 66 in response to temperature changes, this asymmetric relationship is maintained due to the symmetrical disposition of the coils 56 and St: on carriage 54 so that the pulses reflected from each end of the line siinultaneouslyr'each the same point on the line in phase opposition to cancel each other.

While there have been described what are at present considered to be'the preferred embodiments of this invention, it will be obvious to those skilled in the art that various changes and modifications, may be made therein without departing from the invention, and it is, therefore, aimed to cover all such changes and modifications as fall within the true spirit and scope of the invention.

What is claimed is g 1. Signal delay means including a line comprising 'a magnetostrictive material andhaving input and output ends, a terminating element at each of said ends,- each of said elements having 'an impedance approximately equal to the characteristic terminal impedance of said line, first means fo-r applying a signal as an input to said line, second means for picking up a delayed signal from said line, said first and second means being positioned with respect to said input and output ends respectively such that the echos of signals reflected at said ends are in phase opposition, third means for simultaneously moving said first and second means to vary the distance therebetween along said line whereby said produced echos are maintained in said'phase opposition relationship and temperature sensitive means associated with said third means for varying the length of said linebetween said first and second means in response to temperature changes. t g

2. Signal delay means including a line comprising a magnet-ostrictive material and having input andoutput ends, terminating-elements at each of said ends, 'each'Jof said terminating elementshaving an impedance approximately equal to. the characteristic impedance of saidline, a transmit ter coil associated with said line and positioned near the input end thereof for generating asignal in said line, a receiver coil associated with said line and positioned near its output end for picking up a delayed signal from said line, the distancesvof the transmitter coil and receiver coil from the input and output ends respectively being so chosen that the echos. of signals reflected at said ends are in phase opposition, means for simultaneously moving'said coils with respect to said ends to vary the length of line between the coils whereby the produced echos are maintained in said phase opposition relationship and temperature sensitive means associated with said moving means for varying the length of said line between said coils in response to temperature changes.

3. Signal delay means including a line comprising a magnetostrictive material and having input and output ends, a terminating element at each of said ends, each of said terminating elements having an impedance approximately equal to the characteristic impedance of said line, a movable transmitter coil disposed on said line and positioned near said input end for generating a signal in said line, a receiver coil disposed on said line and positioned near said output end for picking up a delayed signal from said line, the distances of the transmitter coil and receiver coil from the input and output ends respectively being so chosen that the echos of signals reflected at said ends are in phase opposition, magnetic means associated with said coils for applying a magnetic field thereto, means for simultaneously moving said coils and the associated magnetic means with respect to said ends to vary the length of said line between the coils whereby the produced echos are maintained in said phase opposition relationship, and temperature sensitive means associated with said moving means for varying the length of line between said coils in response to temperature changes. 4. Signal delay means comprising a line comprising a magnetostrictive material and having an input and an output end, said line including a coiled portion and a terminating element at each of said ends, each of said terminating elements having an impedance approximately equal to the characteristic terminal impedance of said line, a movable transmitter coil disposed on said line and positioned near said input end for generating a signal in said line, a movable receiver coil disposed on said line and positioned near said output end for picking up a delayed signal from said line, the distances of the transmitter coil and receiver coil from the input and output ends respectively being so chosen that the echos of signals reflected at said ends are in phase opposition, means associated with said coils for applying a magnetic field thereto, means for simultaneously moving said coils and the associated magnetic means with respect to said ends to vary the length of said line between the coils whereby the produced echos are maintained in said phase opposition relationship, and temperature sensitive means associated with said moving means for varying the length of line between said coils in response to temperature changes.

5. Signal delay means comprising a line comprising a magnetostrictive material and having an input and an output end, said line including an intermediate coiled portion, and a terminating element at each of said ends, each of said terminating elements having an impedance approximately equal to the characteristic terminal impedance of said line, a movable transmitter coil disposed on said line and positioned near said input end 'for generating a signal in said line; a movable receiver coil disposed on said line and positioned near said output end for picking up a delayed signal from said line, the dis tance of the transmitter coil from the input end being difierent from the distance of the receiver coil trom the the produced echos are maintained in said phase opposition relationship, and temperature sensitive means associated with said moving means for varying the length of line between said coils in response to temperature changes.

6. Signal delay means as defined in claim 5 wherein said terminating elements comprise a compliant nonconductive material which is substantially unaffected by temperature changes.

7. Signal delaymeans as defined in claim 6 wherein said material is selected from the group consisting of polyethylene, an epoxy resin and a high temperature wax.

8. Signal delay means as defined in claim 5 wherein said line comprises a nickel tube.

9. Signal delay means as defined in claim Swvherein said temperature sensitive means is a bi-metallic element.

10. Signal delay means as defined in claim 5 wherein said magnetic means includes a unitary magnetic structure positioned intermediate said coils to provide a biasing magnetic field for each of said coils.

11. Signal delay means as defined in claim 5 wherein said line has an intermediate coiled portion and substantially parallel end portions and wherein said means for moving said coils comprises a structure for receiving said coils and for fixedly maintaining said magnetic means in association with said coils, said structure being disposed substantially transversely of said end portions and slidable therealong.

l2. Signal delay means including a tube comprising a magnetostrictive material, said tube having an intermediate coiled portion and substantially parallel end portions, one of said end portions being longer than the other by a chosen quantity, a plastic element at each end of said tube, said plastic elements having an impedance substantially equal to the characteristic terminal impedance of said tube, a transmitter coil positioned around one end portion of said tube and freely slidable therealong for generating a signal in said tube, a receiver coil positioned around the other end portion of said tube and freely slidable therealong for picking up a delayed signal from said tube, a structure disposed transversely of said end portions for affixedly receiving said coils whereby movement of said structure causes simultaneous equal movement of said coils along said tube, unitary magnetic means on said structure intermediate said coils for providing a biasing magnetic field for each of said coils, a bimetallic temperature sensitive element having one fixed end and the other end aflixed to said structure whereby said structure is caused to move along both of said end portions in response tochanges in temperature, said difference in the lengths of said end portions being so chosen whereby the echos of signals reflected at the respective ends of said tube are maintained in phase opposition.

13. Signal delay means comprising a housing, a line comprising a magnetostrictive material and having input and output ends, a terminating element at each of said ends having an impedance approximately equal to the characteristic terminal impedance of said line, transmitter means associated with said delay line for applying a signal as an input to said line, receiver means for picking up a delayed signal from said line, means within said housing for positioning said transmitter and receiver means given different distances from said input end and output end respectively whereby the echos of signals reflected at said ends are in phase opposition, said positioning means being adapted to simultaneously move said transmitter and receiver means equal distances to vary the length of delay line therebetween whereby said produced echos are maintained in said phase opposition relationship and temperature sensitive means associated with said movable means for varying the length of said line between said transmitter and receiver means in response to changes in temperature. 1

14. Signal delay means comprising a metallic housing, a line comprising a magnetostrictive material and having an output and an input end an including an intermediate coiled portion, a terminating element at each of said ends, each of said terminating elements having an impedance equal to the characteristic terminal impedance of said line, means within said housing for positioning said delay line, a transmitter coil disposed around said line near said input end and slidable therealong, a receiver coil disposed around said line near said output end and slidable therealong, magnetic means for providing a biasing magnetic field to said transmitter and receiver coils, a member within and slidable along an axis of said housing for positioning said transmitter coil, receiver coil and said magnetic means in registration whereby said registration is maintained upon movement of said member, the input and output ends of said line being disposed chosen different distances from said transmitter and receiver coil respectively whereby the echos of signals reflected at said ends are in phase opposition, and temperature sensitive means associated with said member for varying the length of line between said coils in response to changes in temperature.

15. The combination defined in claim 14 wherein said magnetic means includes a single bar magnet disposed intermediate and spaced from said coils and having its longitudinal axis substantially parallel to the longitudinal axis of said coils.

16. The combination defined in claim 14 wherein said means for positioning said line comprises insulating means affixed to an inner wall of the housing and having a plurality of spaced substantially parallel grooves for receiving the loops of said coils.

17. The combination defined in claim 14 wherein said temperature sensitive means is a bi-metallic element.

18. The combination defined in claim 17 wherein said temperature sensitive means has one end substantially firmly afiixed to said housing and its other end afiixed to said slidable member.

19. The combination defined in claim 14 wherein said terminating elements comprise a compliant insulating material which is relatively inert to temperature changes.

20. In combination with an electrical circuit, a metallic housing, means within said housing for physically positioning the components of said circuit, signal delay means associated with said circuit comprising a tube of magnetostrictive material having input and output ends and an intermediate coiled portion, a terminating element comprising a compliant temperature inert material on each of said ends, each of said elements having an impedance substantially equal to the characteristic terminal impedance of said tube, non-conductive means aflixed to the inner wall of said housing and having a series of transverse spaced substantially parallel recesses for receiving the respective loops of said coiled portion, a transmitter coil disposed about the tube near its input end and freely movable therealong for applying a signal as an input to said tube, a receiver coil disposed about said tube near its output end and freely movable therealong for picking up a delayed signal from said tube, means slidable along the axis of said housing for positioning said coils different chosen distances from said respective ends whereby the echos of signals reflected at said ends are in phase opposition, unitary magnetic means on said slidable means intermediate said coils for providing a biasing magnetic field for each of said coils, and a temperature sensitive bi-metallic element having one substantially fixed end portion and its other end portion afiixed to said slidable member whereby said slidable member is caused to move in response to temperature changes.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,565,469 Bradburd Aug. 28, 1951 2,760,165 Sullivan Aug. 21, 1956 FOREIGN PATENTS 714,627 Great Britain Sept. 1, 1954 

